Exergaming: A Good Exercise Option During the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Wii sports programs as a potential physical activity solution to increasing inactivity among young adults and potentially improving the immune system. An evaluation was done on five Wii Sports games, including tennis, baseball, bowling, golf, and boxing. Measures included caloric expenditure and metabolic equivalents (MET) expended. A total of 16 subjects participated in two interactive video game sessions that took place over a 14-day period, in which their caloric expenditure (based on metabolic equivalents and rate of perceived exertion [RPE]) was compared with accepted reference values associated with playing the actual sports. Results showed that Wii sports were associated with higher MET values than published norms for other actual sports, and all Wii sports showed caloric expenditure that was four to ten times higher than traditional sedentary gaming. In conclusion, the results justify the integration of interactive video-gaming technologies into future fitness programs targeted toward young adults and, consequently, decrease the risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Exercise Video Games and Exercise Self-Efficacy in Children.

The aim of this article was to investigate the use of exergaming in promoting exercise behavior among children and to examine the impact of the intervention on participants' exercise self-efficacy, in addition to assessing physiological changes. A sample of 55 children enrolled in the Family Fit program, where participants were categorized into 2 groups: healthy weight and overweight. Measures were taken at baseline, after the 7-week program, at the 12-week follow-up, and at the 24-month follow-up. Positive changes in exercise self-efficacy were significant for the overweight group, while the healthy weight group maintained their exercise self-efficacy. At the 24-month follow-up, 97% children reported being interested in participating in a future fitness program, and 96% children who did not play sports before the intervention started practicing sports. Exercise self-efficacy is a predictor of physical activity, and incorporating exergaming in a structured program may lead to increased self-efficacy in participants.